AB 252 will ensure that individuals who are classified as social workers have earned a degree in social work from an accredited college or university.

"Today, there are still public and private agencies that classify employees as social workers who have not completed the coursework, supervised field instruction and ethical training required by a social work education," said Yamada in a statement. "With the growing complexity of service needs in our state, AB 252 seeks to protect consumers of social work services and the integrity of the profession, which is now 115 years old."

AB 252 does not mandate hiring practices, but simply requires that the use of the title "social worker" be granted only to individuals with a degree in social work from a school accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

"The support we received -- both from those who testified to the need for consistent, high standards, and from my colleagues on the committee who overwhelmingly approved this bill -- speaks directly to its merits," said Eggman in a statement.

CSWE accreditation ensures that all social workers complete coursework grounded in social work theory and best practices, supplemented by at least 400 hours of supervised field instruction. Additionally, social worker conduct is bound by a Code of Ethics.

Legislation protecting the professional title "social worker" has already been enacted in 37 other states.